The other day the kids and I were at the dollar store when we came across some colored sand in the art section. I knew better than to pass it by, but focused on the original purpose of the trip I continued walking anyway, and when I returned to buy that colored sand a few weeks later it was gone. Of course. (Like I said, I knew better).
By then I had already committed to doing to sand/glue art with William, so I was committed to finding an affordable alternative. My solution? See the following formula.
Salt + food coloring = faux sand
Here’s how:
Place desired amount of salt into a container with a tight snap on lid. Add a few drops of food coloring (depending on the desired saturation), replace lid and shake.
I used kosher salt, but a fine grain salt works just as well.
The salt may need a few minutes to dry out a bit, so while that is happening get your kiddie making a design out of glue. This was William’s favorite part.
Then, invite your child to sprinkle pinches of salt onto the glue. William really just wanted to pour the whole container onto the paper, which would have been ok except that part of the purpose of this activity was for William to practice using his pincher grasp.
The final product looks like this:
and
Be prepared, however, for the fabulous mess this kind of art can make. Well worth it. 😉 (I think next time I’ll lay down a sheet on the table so I can just pull up the corners and shake the mess outside).
Enjoy!
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I am Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home mama of five! I am the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught range of levels, including preschool and college, and a little bit of just about everything in between. Right now, my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction
Alex @ Teach Through Play says
August 3, 2012 at 12:48 pmI love this idea…thanks for that last picture though… maybe we’ll try this one OUTSIDE! haha!
-Alex
Michelle says
August 3, 2012 at 1:26 pmThis looks like so much fun. I didn’t know you could do that with salt. We’re totally trying this out soon. Thanks for sharing.
Susie Earning-My-Cape says
August 10, 2012 at 12:17 amHow fun!!! Well, maybe not the mess, but the rest of the project looks fun! 😉
Thanks for sharing with my Super Link Party! 🙂
Allison says
August 10, 2012 at 11:08 pmThis looks like a blast, mess and all! Salt vacuums easily, right? Thanks for linking up to The Sunday Showcase.
Tulip says
August 14, 2012 at 1:57 pmWhat a great alternative. I think you can bake it to make it sparkle too. Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
September 2, 2012 at 6:37 pmVery nice! It would make good faux glitter, too!
Thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory 🙂
Vicki D says
September 23, 2012 at 6:05 pmWhen we were small my mom gave us each a cup of salt with a stick of colored chalk and we would stir the salt with the chalk until it was to small to stir. Has a great effect also and gets the kids involved in that part of the process! Love this idea!
MaryLea Martin Harris says
October 1, 2012 at 1:20 pmIt might be easier to work on a lidded cookie sheet (like a jelly roll pan) or inside a shallow box to contain the mess. That’s what we do with salt and glitter around here. Love the finished picture!